Wakey - Screen on & control

Have you ever wished to extend the duration your device's screen stays on beyond its default sleep setting? Are you looking to maximize brightness while using navigation or checking out vacation photos? With Wakey, you can keep your screen active for as long as you need.

Wakey allows you to control your screen's illumination according to your preferences. You can set the display to full brightness, lower it down, or even turn it completely off while still keeping the phone operational. Additionally, Wakey can be configured to keep the screen on when specific apps or games are in use, during charging, when connected to certain Bluetooth devices, or based on your interactions with the device.

You can manually activate Wakey by pressing the large bulb icon within the app whenever you wish and tap it again to turn it off. There’s also a Quick-Setting Tile or Widget available for easier toggling. Customize Wakey to suit your needs!

Wakey Premium (accessible through an in-app purchase) includes several features designed to enhance your experience:

SmartWake keeps your screen active while you’re engaging with the device.

AppWake automatically maintains the screen's activity when specific apps are open. This feature is perfect if you want to keep the display on to view album art during music playback or when gaming.

If you have limited dexterity, AppWake ensures that the screen remains on for apps that require more time to navigate while allowing it to turn off quickly at all other moments.

Note: Activating the AppWake Accessibility Service allows it to monitor which applications are currently active on your device, enabling Wakey as configured. The Wakey accessibility service does not access window content, what you type, or any audio/video inputs. Furthermore, no personal data regarding your AppWake usage is collected or shared.

ChargeWake automatically keeps your screen active while the device is charging.

BtWake ensures your screen remains on when Bluetooth devices are paired with your device.

Tasker Plugin lets you utilize Tasker or Locale to customize Wakey extensively! Set Wakey to respond to various triggers supported by Tasker. Nighttime browsing? Adjust the screen to stay on and dimmed. Using navigation during the day? Set the display to maximum brightness. Now, you have unprecedented control!

Wakey Transformed Screen Control from a Chore to Pure Convenience

What surprised me most about Wakey isn’t just its functionality—it’s how effortlessly it solved frustrations I’d reluctantly accepted as part of modern device use. Trying to follow GPS directions during a road trip? Constantly tapping the screen to prevent it from sleeping became a genuine hazard before Wakey. 

The difference is night and day: activating Wakey’s navigation preset (brightness maxed out, sleep disabled) with its Quick-Setting Tile turns my dashboard into a reliable, hands-free command center. 

I’ve developed a genuine appreciation for how deeply it personalizes screen behavior. Beyond essentials like navigation or dimly-lit recipe viewing while cooking, AppWake revolutionized mundane tasks: keeping my music app’s interface alive to skip tracks without frantic screen jabs, or letting reference PDFs stay visible during study sessions without fiddling with system settings every 10 minutes. 

The SmartWake feature feels particularly intuitive; it subtly holds the screen only when I'm actively scrolling or tapping—a small touch that significantly improves workflow and saves battery the moment I look away. Its respect for privacy and minimal permission requirements (the service explicitly states it never accesses content, keystrokes, or sensitive data) provided crucial peace of mind, setting it apart from more intrusive tools. 

This app fundamentally eliminated the friction between intent and action; needing the screen awake now requires less thought than unlocking my phone. It’s not just useful—it’s quietly become essential.

FAQ Highlights Based on Daily Use:

Q: Does this drain my battery horribly?

A: Context is key. Wakey doesn’t inherently drain battery—keeping your screen on does. The brilliance lies in targeted control. AppWake or ChargeWake ensures the screen stays awake only during specific activities (like charging or using a particular app), minimizing unnecessary drain. SmartWake is especially efficient.

Q: Is the AppWake Accessibility Service safe? What data does it access?

A: Yes, and critically little. The service only checks which app is currently foreground/active—it cannot access anything inside the app (no content, text, passwords, media). As the developer states, no personal AppWake usage data is collected or shared. It requires this permission solely to trigger screen behavior per your chosen app rules.

Q: How much control does the free version offer?

A: Solid core functionality for manual use. You get the essential "Keep Screen On/Off" toggle via the main button, Quick-Setting Tile/Widget, and key contexts like keeping the screen alive while charging. Premium unlocks automation (AppWake, BtWake, SmartWake) and deeper Tasker integration.

Q: Why would I need Premium if I can just tap the button?

A: Automation is the true game-changer. Premium features like AppWake or BtWake (screen stays on when paired with your car stereo) remove the need to remember to toggle manually. SmartWake’s context-awareness (on only while interacting) feels magical. If you find yourself constantly reaching for the toggle, Premium automates that effort away.

Q: Is Tasker integration useful for non-power-users?

A: It unlocks powerful personalization even with simple automations. You don't need complex profiles! Examples: Creating a "Night Reading" profile (Wakey on + brightness low at sunset), a "Car" profile (Wakey on + max brightness when Bluetooth connects to car), or "Presenting" (screen always on while Mirroring/Casting). It customizes Wakey to your exact life patterns.